Sectional box car



Feb. 24, 1931. I I 1-, RQMINE 1,793,965

SECTIONAL BOX CAR Filed April 16. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l V IHI RM By wumcw cww k T) 3 flilorneys.

Feb. 24, 1931.

T. ROMIN E SECTIONAL BOX CAR 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16. 192

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Inventor:

.By MA,%-L, W

Feb. 24, 1931. RIT. ROMINE SECTIONAL BOX CAR T Filed Appil 16. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 J52 vent or:

mwfl w, Wggii appearance of a complete box car.

Patented Feb. 24, 1931 ROBE RT '1. BDMINE, F MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN SECTIONAL BOX CAB Application filed 1 m 16, 1927. Serial No. 184,384.

This invention relates tosectional box cars or carriers and especially to flat railway cars provided with a load supporting floor or platform adapted to receive and support a plu- 5 rality of independent shipping containers or sections which, when assembled, present the The ,,invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with a railway transportation system for the handling and shipping of large quantities of material such, for example, as freight, merchandise, parcel post, express material, etc. in separate and individual r groups or units. The apparatus of the in ventioniswell adapted for use 1n various manufacturing industries such as the automotive industry wherein it is desirable to ship automobile parts to assembly plants or elsewhere, and wherein such parts may be handled and shipped in the container sections directly from the shipper to the consignee.

An important object of the invention is to provide individual and detachable supporting members for the container sections for supporting such sections after they. are re moved or unloaded from theflat car. floor. Another object is to provide the container sections with means which are adapted to co-operate with means on the car floor for restricting the relative movement or displacement of, the container sections when thecar is in transit, the first mentioned means being preferably of a character which permits their cooperation with the detachable supporting members when it is' desirable to support the container sections after their removal from the 'car platform.

One form of shipping container or menchandise compartment, and certain improved means for supporting it when on or oif a freight car, are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings,'wherein like reference characters indicate similar parts in the several views.

In said drawings: r i

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a flat freight ca or carrier with my improved container secsections being broken away.

tions in position thereupon, severalof 'the' Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one i of the detachable legs of the container sections.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the legs of Fig. 6 assembled with the con.- tainer.

Fig. 8 is an enlar ed fragmentary detail, partly in section, 0 the container and detachable leg.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of a car (iontainer section with its supporting legs 1n ace.

ig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of one corner of the container section of Fig. 9.

Before explaining in detail the present invention, and the method or mode of operation embodied therein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed hereln is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond a the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements of the prior art.

My improved apparatus is illustrated, by

a way of example, in connection with a railway transportation system at a railwayv terminal, although such apparatus may be used at industrial plants or storage warehouses where large quantities of material are handled. For instance, the invention is adapted for use not only at railway freight terminals for the handling and shipping of freight, merchan dise, parcel post, express material, etc., or at shipping docks for steamboat transportation, but also in various manufacturing industries such as the automotive industry. Automobile parts, including parts to be shipped to assembly plants in different sections of the country, or spare and replacement parts-to be shipped to dealers,.garages, etc., may be handled and shipped in the containers directly from the shipper to the consignee in accordance with the'p'resent invention.

Where the. shipping containers are transported upon a flat car, as shown for the purpose of illustration in the present case, flat cars of standard constructionma-y be used without necessitating any substantial reconstruction thereof. In the present case I have illustrated a relatively simple and reflective manner of mounting the containers on the floor or platform of the flat car or carrier so that the containers will be supported against displacement during transit. The containers and the supporting means secured to the car floor for maintaining the containers lILPDSltion during transit are so constructed as to enable the containers to be readily loaded or unloaded from the cars, easily locked in position when loaded or easily released to enable the container sections to be unloaded at destination. The containers are normally provided with leg supports which permit them to be picked up and transported from point to point upon the lift platform of a power driven lift truck, but in transporting the containers on the carriers, such as a railway flat car, the -leg supports are preferably detached from the container so as to provide greater stability in transit on account of the shocks and collision to which the cars are subjected.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the application of my invention to a railway flat car or carrier B having a platform or floor B The car is positioned upon railway tracks RR and ways positioned above the roof of the section- 'logether, the group of sections, when mounted upon the platform B present the appearance of a complete and fully equipped box car.

Each of the container sections 0 is provided with a bottom' or floor comprising cross boards bound around the four edges by means of angles 20, a roof or top -21, side walls 22, and end walls 23, each of said side walls being preferably provided with swinging doors 24 and 25. The walls and doors include framing members and also an outer sheet metal sheathing as shown in Figs. 8 and 10. The skeletonframe structure of each container section comprises, preferably,

" vertically extending angle bars 26 and 27 at the front and rear respectively of each side wall, these vertical members 26 and 27 being'connected at-their lower ends with the container section floor angle 20 by means of gusset plates 126 and 127 respectively, and supporting at their upper. ends curved or substantially arch-shaped angles 28 which form supporting means for the top or roof 21 of the section, the angles 26, 27 and'28 being connected together by means of gusset plates 128. Extending substantially horizontally along each side wall 22 and preferably on the'inne'r side of each wall, are aplurality of spaced angles 29, these angles being connected at their ends with the vertical angles 26, 27 by means of gusset plates 129, one of which is provided for each horizontal angle at its end portion. To brace the horizontal angles 29 and the angle 28 provided for supporting the roof of the sec-.

tion, and to maintain them in spaced relation and likewise prevent sagging of the angles and roof 21, a vertically extending, 1

structure 21 at the side thereof for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

To additionally brace the container section, I provide a pair of metal straps or bars 31, 82 Which are secured at their lower ends to the gusset plates 126 and 127 respectively and to each of the horizontal angles 29 and likewise to the roof supporting angle 28. It will be noted that the bars 31 and 32 extend upwardly in converging relation and also that the upper ends of the bars project considerably above the roof 21 at substantially its transverse center. upper projecting ends of the members 31 and 32 by means of rivets or the like, are a pair of angle plates 33 and 34 having inwardly extending flanges 33a and 34a respectively, positioned back to back. Connected to the opposite outer faces of these flanges are a pair of abutting channel bars 35, the web portions of which are positioned back to back to form a bail for the container section. It will be understood that the several angles,

' gusset plates and bracing members herein re- Connected with the integral structure, preferably by means of rivets although it may be found desirable to employ bolts or other securing means for this purpose. Likewise it may prove desirable in practice to spot weld the several members together.

Mounted upon the roof 21 of the section and rigidly connected therewith, is a transversely extending and preferably substantially centrally located walkway 40, this walkway comprising a pair of spaced angles 41 connected at opposite ends with plates or gussets 42, which plates or gussets are in turn connected with and supported by the roof supporting angle 28. The angles 41 are likewise connected with the brace members 30,

a 31 and 32 to prevent any possibility of sagging at the central portion thereof. Mounted upon the angles 41 in any suitable mannerand likewise extending transversely of the section, are a plurality of boards 43 which together form a walkway. By providing a series. of boards 43 and positioning them at opposite sides of the converging upwardly projecting ends of the brace members 31 and 32 it will be noted that two separate and distinct walkways areprovided. Likewise by so positioning the walkways, it will be understood that the bail, including the channels 35, also serves as a hand hold or supporting structure for the brakeman when walking along the top of the group of car' sections or containers C forming the sectional box car B. a

In order to provide means for effecting a detachable connection between adjacent sections at their upper portions and likewise to prevent any possibility of relative displacement of the sections when the car is in transit, each of the gusset plates 128 is provided with an extension or projection 128a, which extension or projection is provided with 'a slot or aperture. The method of connecting the portions 128a of each car section will be referred to hereinafter.

,The doors 24 and are pivotally connected with the end walls 23 of the container section by means of hinges 36 of any suitable construction. The door 25 isprovided with a plate 25a at its free edge, this plate being secured to the door and being adapted to overlap the free edge of the door 24 when the doors are closed, as shown in the drawings. The door 25 is likewise provided with locking means in the form of a pair of recip rocable rods 255 connected with a cam member 250 which is pivoted at 25d to the door. The fcam member is provided with an operating handle or lever 256 which, when the doors are closed, is adapted to engage and be supported by a stop 24a mounted upon the door 24. At the upper and. lower edges of the door 25, guide members 25; are provided which serve to support, and maintain against accidental displacement, the rods 255. These guides likewise serve to cause the ends of the rods 256, when in their projected or operative position,'to register wit apertures formed in each of the angle plates or keepers 20a provided u on the front end of the container section Fsee Fig. 3). This construction permits the doors to be simultaneously locked together to prevent any accidental or unau thorized opening of the doors, it being underand 480b, respectively,

stood, of course, that the usual seal is applied to the operating handle or lever 25a to maintain it against movement relative to the stop 24a. The dual locking means permits the authorized opening of both doors by a simple and convenient operation.

The floor, including the angles 20 of each container is provided on its under side adjacent each longitudinal edge with a metal supporting plate 45. At the outer edge of each plate there is provided a lon itudinally extending plate or strip 46 whic is maintained in-spaced relation with respect to the plate 45 by means of a narrow filler stri or bar 47 interposed therebetween. The p ates 45,46 and the strip 47 are all secured together and to the floor angles 20 by means of bolts 460. At the inner longitudinal edge of each plate 45 there is )rovided an angle bar 48 having a vertical ange 48a and a horizontal flange 48?), the latter flange being maintained in spaced relation with res ect to the late 45 by interposing between t e flange an the plate, a filler strip or bar 49. The members 485, 49 and 45 are secured together and to the floor angles 20 by means of bolts 4806, which bolts are provided with countersunk heads so as to lie flush with the exposed surface of the flange 48?) (see Fig. 8). The flange 48a of each angle 48 is provided adjacent its opposite ends with a hole or slot 480a for a purpose to be described. While I have referred to and illustrated the use of bolts 46a gether and provide a guideway or channel 50 upon the car floor at its under side, neverthelessit may prove desirable in practice to spot weld the several members together to form an integral structure which is detachably mounted upon the under side of the car floor by means of the bolts referred to, or in any suitable manner. It will be seen therefore that by so positioning the plate 46 and the angle 48 and maintaining them in spaced relation with respect to the plate 45, a guideway 1 or channel 50 is provided at each side of the container. It will be noted (see Fig. 5) that the guideways or channels at the longitudinal edges of the under surface of the floor are identical.

The guldeways' or channels 50 are provided for the purpose of supporting, when desirable, detachable leg members indicated as a whole at 55, Figure 6. Each container section is preferably provided with four leg members, there being a pair of such members removably supported by the guideways or channels at opposite longitudinal sides of the ,floor'. 7 Each leg comprises a vertical channel 56 having acentral web 56a which is rigidly connected adjacent its upper end with the vertical flange 57a of a short angle bar 57 by means of rivets 560a and parallel flanges 565, the flange and the web being positioned to secure the parts tothe angle 57 overlies and is in engagement with the upper end of the channel. The angle 57 is of sufficient length to extend considerably beyond the parallel flanges 56b of the.

channel. Mounted upon the horizontal flange 57b and supported thereby, is a plate 58,the plate being connected with the flange in any suitable manner, such, for example, as by means of spot welding. A brace member 59 in the form of a bar which is bent to provide port for the container section. The vertical" flange57a is provided adjacent each end, with an aperture or slot 570a adapted to register with any one of the holes or apertures 480a provided in the vertical flange 48a of the angle bar 48 carried by the container section floor, when the parts are in the position in which theyare shown in Figures 7 to 10 inclusive, thus providing standard legs which are interchangeable.

To apply the legs orsupporting members to a container section, it is merely necessary to insert the plate 58 of the leg in the guide- Way or (3115111118150, slide it into place, and bring the apertures or holes 480a and 57011 of the respective members into alignment. When'inthis position, a bolt having a countersunk head 15a, is inserted in the aligned holes and a nut 16 applied thereto,

thus preventing the accidental displacement of the leg member. v I

WVhen the container sections C are sup- .ported upon the car floor 13 as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that the detachable legs are removed. For the purpose of supporting each container section upon the car floor, and maintaining such section against relative longitudinal movement thereupon, a series of pairs of transversely disposgd spaced supporting members are provided. These members in the present instance each comprises an angle bar having a horizontal flange 60a detachably mounted upon the car floor by means of bolts 61, anda vertical or upstanding flange 60b. The flanges provide means for receiving and supporting a wood block or strip 62, which block is detachably connected with and secured to the vertical flange 601) by means of a series .of bolts 62a, the heads of which are countersunk so as to lie flush with the outer face of the flange. The space between each I pair of supporting members-for a container section is determined by the space between the angles 48 carriedat the under side of the container floor and is governed by the size of the container section. When a container is placed upon the car floor B and supported by the angles 60 and the blocks '62, it Will be seen (Figs 3 and 4) that the vertical or depending flanges 48a lie outside and in abutting relation to the vertical flange 60?). The co-operating angle members on the container section floor and thecar floor respectively are so positioned as to provide a substantially close fit when the parts are in operative relation. The fit, however, is not sufficiently close to cause a binding of the cooperating elements as the container section is placed in position upon the car or removed therefrom. A bolt 63 is provided at each side of the container section (Fig. 4) and is inserted through the hole 480a formed in the vertical flange 48a and in a similarly prelocated hole'or slot provided in the vertical angle 60b andthe wood block or strip 62. to hold the parts in operative relation and maintain the container section in position upon the car floor B A nut 64 is threaded upon the end of each bolt to maintain it in position. In order to maintain adjacent sections in position at their upper portions and to restrict their relative movement and accidental displacement during transit, I provide a bolt and nut 52 which is adapted to be inserted through the slot or aperture formed in the projecting portions or earsv 128a of adjacent sections. Thus it will be seen that when the container sections are in position upon the car floor, they are maintained against accidental displacement relatively thereto.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the means provided upon the under side of each container section floor performs a dual function, namely that of maintaining the containers in position upon the car floor or platform B and restricting their relative displacement when the car is in transit, and also serve as means for receiving and supporting the detachable leg members 55 when the sec tion has been removed from the car.

My method of removing or unloading the container sections from the car or loading them upon the car, as well as the improved apparatus for performing the method, has been fully shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 17 3, 761 filed March 8, 1927, and it is not thought necessary herein to refer in detail thereto.

It will be understood that when the containers C are supported by the detachable and interchangeable legs .55, a lift truck platform may be moved into position to underlie the container section floor within the area between the detachable legs, so that the section may be lifted and transported thereby. Y

doors, and means carried by the under side of the container floor adapted to maintain the contalner n posit on upon a carrier during shipment and to receive removable leg members for supporting the container When removed from the carrier.

3. A container section for use in a railway transportation system where the containers are transported in sectional box oar manner, comprising a normally closed compartment having doors, and a floor structure provided on its under side with means forming guideways adapted to receive detachable leg members for supporting the container upon a terminal floor, said last mentioned means also serving to maintain the container in position upon the carrier during transit.

it. In a sectonal box car, the combination of a plurality .of individual container sections provided with doors, of means carried by the containers for supporting them in position to form the box car, said means also being adapted to receive detachable and interchangeable leg members for supporting the containers when removed from the car.

5. In a sectional box car, the combination of a plurality of shipping containers each providing an individual unit of the car, said containers having doors and a pair of walkways positioned above the roof thereof, and means carried by the containers adapted to maintain the containers in position to form the box car and to receive detachable and interchangeable leg members for supporting the containers when removed from the box car.

6. A shipping container for use in connection with a railway transportation system wherein the carriers are in the form of sectional box cars, comprising a normally closed compartment provided with doors, and means carried by the container for maintaining it in position upon the carrier during transit, said means also serving to receive detachable leg members for supporting the container when removed from the carrier.

7. In a railway transportation system, the combination of a flat car platform, container sections mounted upon said platform, means carried by the platform for supporting the container sections thereupon, and means car ried by said container sections and ada ted to co-operate with the means on'saidplat orm for maintaining the sections in'place during transit, said last mentioned means also being adapted to receive detachable leg members for supportin the sections when removed from the plat orm.

8. In a sectional box car or carrier, the combination of a container having a floor, parallel truss members angular in cross section extending beneath the floor, leg members adapted to be detachably connected to said truss members to permit the introduction of a lift truck platform beneath the floor, and means on the car adapted to co o erate with said truss members when the legs are detached for supporting the container on the car floor.

9. In a sectional box car or carrier, the combination of a floor, parallel truss members having inwardly extending horizontal flanges and vertical flanges extending beneath the floor, legmembers adapted to be detachably connected to said truss members to permit the introduction of a lift truck platform beneath the floor, and means on the car adapted to co-operate with said truss members when the legs are detached for sup orting and locking the container on the car oor.

10. A shipping container for use in connection with a railway transportation system wherein the carriers are in the form of sectional box cars, and means carried by the container for maintaining it in position upon the carrier during transit, said means also serving to receive supporting members for the container when removed from the carrler.

In testimony whereof I afli'x my signature.

ROBERT T. ROMINE. 

